NSV and progress pics!

Almost a year ago I moved to the UK to do my my masters in political science- European Politics and Policy. At this point I had tried losing weight before and that summer before moving I tried and lost a few pounds, but I eventually quit. When I started school my friends and I were running around town taking pictures seeing everything, trying to find our way around. These pictures were taken I believe the first day. I was about 283 pounds.

I'm actually sad to look at these pictures. I was in a brand new city (I had lived in London for 4 months 2 years previous to this picture being taken and had lost about 15 pounds I put the weight on again and then some)



After about a month being at school I started taking thaiboxing lessons with three friends. I had always enjoyed the gym and started going religiously the previous year during school, but without watching what I was eating I basically didn't see any results. I realized that I started to lose weight and was feeling more fit by taking thaiboxing and walking everywhere and I do mean EVERYWHERE.



I don't know at that point how much I lost I just now I fell in love with working out and loved that I was feeling more fit. In November I joined the gym that the thaiboxing lessons were held out and I hit the ground running. I decided I was going to lose weight, this time was going to be it! I also decided I was going to start running and enjoy it- so I hit the treadmill every work out. I started "running" at 5 km/h. I went everyday except some days off so about 5-6 times a week. by the time I went home in December for Christmas I had lost about 20 or so pounds. making me about 250 pounds I don't really have pictures from that time, so moving on.

I came back in January with a new head on my shoulders- I had been home and still maintained where I was at before I left for break. I didn't think that was going to happen, but I was adamant about it I did random workouts at home like running, push ups, sit ups etc.

In april my mom came over to the UK to visit me for a month- that month I didn't pay attention to what I ate and the exercise I got between or many trips was the couple visits to the gym and walking around cities that we visited. at this point I had abandoned MFP because my sister stopped logging on too, but I was about 249 when I joined MFP. I lost some pounds and when I went on vacation I stayed between the same 2-3 pounds making me hover between 240-243.

During the the months I noticed my fitness getting better and better week after week, my running was also improving, which made me thrilled. About a month and a half ago I discovered the running store sweatshop (which is amazing) I was fitted with new running shoes which I love and adore, and also started attending their weekly runs. They have a beginner 5k I was nervous about first going. On the treadmill I was no longer "running" at 5 km/h, but I now run at 7.5/8 km/hr and I can run for over 20 minutes at a time when I'm not psyching myself out into believing I am tired when I'm just needing to pass a hurdle of feeling bored. at this point I also changed the way I have been eating when I started working out with my trainer friend by watching my calorie intake and logging my foods in my diary and really trying to pay attention to the kinds of foods I eat and how they can effect my body.

My first ever 5k was a rough experience I ended up getting lost just barely completing the 3 miles if i did t all since I cut a small section out and it took me 46 minutes.

Here is where my NSV comes in: today after 5 runs and changing my exercise regime and working with a friend who gives me training and having a friend join the gym I have completed 5- 5K runs and have gone down on my time. Tonight was my fifth one which I ran in 36 minutes! I ran pretty much the whole thing (except this hill portion I had to stop a couple of times and power walk) but once the hill bit was over it was smooth sailing! I am so proud of myself.

I took pictures tonight of my progress because today also marked 50 pounds in my weight loss journey. I have also changed the way I have been eating watching my calorie intake and logging my foods in my diary.

So here is me at 50 pounds lost and after my best time for a 5k run.





I still have work to go, but today I honestly felt like I will make it to the end.



**I really hope the pictures work, if they don't I'll try and fix them**